There are three easy ways to cook crab legs: boiling, steaming, and baking. In less than 10 minutes, each method will give you perfectly warmed crab meat. There are also lots of tips in this post on how to choose and cook the most common types of crab legs.
Fresh crab is every seafood lover’s dream. And the good news is that crab is super easy to cook at home. Why? Because the crab you purchase from your local fishmonger is already pre-cooked and frozen. Many people don’t realize this. But crab is immediately cooked and flash-frozen to preserve its freshness when it’s caught. That means all you have to do to cook crab is warm up the legs, which only takes a few minutes!
You can dip crab in a tasty sauce (I’ll talk more about that below), or you can use fresh crab as a protein in crab salad, bowls, and other things. It’s easy to make a crab boil dinner that looks fancy but is actually very simple because the crab is already cooked.
How Long Do You Boil Frozen Crab Legs For Perfectly Cooked Results Every Time?
Crab legs are a delicious and popular seafood choice enjoyed by many. When cooked properly, crab legs are tender, juicy and full of sweet, succulent flavor. While fresh crab legs are ideal, frozen crab legs can also deliver excellent results when boiled correctly. But exactly how long should you boil frozen crab legs for perfect results? Read on for tips, tricks and timing guidelines to help you nail perfectly cooked crab legs from the freezer every time.
Why Boiling Is Best For Frozen Crab Legs
Boiling is hands down the easiest and most foolproof cooking method for frozen crab legs. Simply dropping the frozen legs straight into boiling water allows them to gently thaw and heat all the way through. The moist heat of boiling helps keep the crab meat tender and juicy, while also infusing it with flavor from aromatics like Old Bay seasoning or crab boil.
Boiling avoids overcooking the delicate crab meat, which can happen quickly under dry heat from grilling, broiling or baking. It also avoids the hassle and inconsistent results that come with trying to partially thaw the legs first. And unlike steaming, boiling can accommodate larger batches of crab legs, allowing you to prepare family-style portions with ease. For convenience, consistency and the best texture, boiling is the ideal cooking method for frozen crab legs.
How Long To Boil Frozen Crab Legs Per Pound
When boiling frozen crab legs, a general rule of thumb is to allot 6-8 minutes of cooking time per pound However, a few additional factors can affect exactly how long they need to reach tender, juicy perfection
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Size of legs – Larger, thicker legs will take a bit longer than smaller, thinner legs. Cluster pieces with legs roughly the same size for even cooking.
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Level of frozen – Legs that are solidly frozen will require the full cooking time, while those that are still slightly pliable may cook slightly faster.
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Amount being cooked – Boiling a large batch of crab legs calls for the maximum boiling time, while smaller portions can be done slightly less.
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Personal taste – Some prefer their crab legs cooked just until heated through, while others like them boiled for longer until the shell colors reddish-orange. Cook according to your own texture preferences.
Taking these factors into account, here are some general crab leg boiling guidelines:
- 1 lb of frozen crab legs – Boil for 6-8 minutes
- 2 lbs of frozen crab legs – Boil for 12-16 minutes
- 3 lbs of frozen crab legs – Boil for 18-24 minutes
- 4-5 lbs of frozen crab legs – Boil for 24-40 minutes
For the best results, carefully monitor the crab legs as they boil and use cooking times on the lower end of the range if they appear to be cooking quickly. Test for doneness by looking for an exterior shell color change and checking that the meat inside feels hot throughout. It’s always easier to add a minute or two more boiling time if needed, rather than overcooking the crab.
Prep Steps For Boiling Frozen Crab Legs
Taking a few simple prep steps before boiling will help ensure tender, juicy crab leg results:
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Choose legs of similar size – This allows them to cook evenly. Avoid mixing large king crab legs with smaller snow crab legs in the same batch.
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Partially thaw very large legs – For king crab legs over 1 lb each, thaw for 20-30 minutes at room temperature or submerge in cold water before boiling. This allows the heat to better penetrate the extra thick legs.
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Bend and press legs – Crack shells before boiling so hot water can permeate inside easier.
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Use a big enough pot – Crab legs should have plenty of room to boil freely without crowding.
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Add seasonings – Old Bay, crab boil or lemon, garlic and herbs infuse extra flavor.
The Perfect Way To Cook Frozen Crab Legs
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to boiling frozen crab legs for tender, juicy perfection:
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Choose frozen crab legs of similar size, about 1-1 1/2 lbs per person. King, snow and Dungeness all work well.
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Partially thaw any extra large or very thick legs by letting sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
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Bend legs backwards at joints to crack shell slightly. Press down on shell segments to open meat exposure if possible.
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Fill a large pot with about 8 cups water per 1 lb of crab legs. Generously season water with Old Bay, crab boil or lemon, garlic and herbs.
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Bring seasoned water to a rapid boil. Carefully drop in frozen crab legs.
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Boil legs for 6-8 minutes per pound, adjusting time based on amount of crab.
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Check for doneness after recommended boil time by looking for shell color change and testing meat for heat.
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Drain boiled legs into a colander. Serve immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
Tips For The Best Frozen Crab Leg Results
Follow these extra tips for perfect crab legs from the freezer:
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Chill cooked crab legs immediately to stop carryover cooking. This prevents overcooking.
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Reheat any leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of liquid.
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Crack shells fully before eating to access all the delicious meat inside. Use crab crackers if needed.
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Watch out for stray shell pieces when enjoying your crab. Picking out meat first can help avoid this.
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Try dipping boiled crab meat in clarified butter, garlic butter, mustard sauce or other flavors you enjoy.
Now that you know exactly how long to boil those frozen crab legs, you can enjoy tender, juicy meat with every batch. Just remember to keep a close eye on cooking times and test doneness carefully. Before you know it, perfectly cooked crab will be on the table ready for cracking and dipping in melted butter. Get your bibs on and get boiling for a memorable crab feast!
More Frequently Asked Questions
When you boil or steam the crab, bay leaves, peeled garlic cloves, black peppercorns, or lemon wedges are all aromatic foods that go well with it. Just keep in mind that a lot of seasonings won’t penetrate the shell and reach the meat. Instead, I recommend adding any seasonings after the meat is removed from the shell.
If you’re cooking frozen crab legs, you have two options. You can either put them in a large bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes or chill them overnight in a large bowl of water that is covered. Second, you can add extra cooking time to each method if you don’t want to defrost the legs.
Remember that crab legs will already be pre-cooked when you purchase them. You’re just warming them through at home. To make each one, though, follow the steps below. The meat inside will be hot, tender, opaque, and flaky.
This post should have taught you how to cook crab legs correctly. Let me know how yours turned out and what your favorite way is in the box below.
How To Eat Crab Legs
While you may need a crab cracker to break open King crab and Dungeness crab legs, your hands are likely all you’ll need for Snow crab. Just break the crab leg at the joint, then press down with your thumb to crack open the middle of the leg shell. Pull off one side of the shell and you should be able to pull the crab meat right out.
- To serve, have a sauce for dipping, lemon wedges for squeezing lemon juice on top, and maybe a pinch of old bay spice. For an easy and tasty way to enjoy fresh crab legs and bring out their natural flavor, try this recipe! You could also save the crab meat and make these crab-stuffed mushrooms for the best holiday appetizer!
- For the crab dipping sauce, melt unsalted butter in a small bowl and mix in fresh garlic, lemon juice, and salt. This easy mix goes well with any seafood, but it goes especially well with fresh crab. Reference the above for dipping sauce ingredients!.
How To Cook Frozen Snow Crab Legs
How long do you cook frozen king crab legs?
King crab is larger, so it takes longer to cook. Boil frozen snow crab legs for 8 to 9 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a strong boil before dropping in the crab. Cover the pot; bring it back to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for 8 to 9 minutes. If the crab is fully thawed, 4 to 5 minutes is sufficient.
How to cook frozen crab legs?
– Place the frozen crab legs and a few lemon wedges in the steamer basket. – Cover the pot with a lid and steam for about **8 minutes**. – Transfer the crab legs to a serving platter and enjoy them
How long do you boil frozen crab legs?
How long it should boil depends on the size of the legs. Your market may sell either Alaskan king crab or snow crab from the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. King crab is larger, so it takes longer to cook. Boil frozen snow crab legs for 8 to 9 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a strong boil before dropping in the crab.
How long does it take to cook crab legs?
Crab legs are cooked and flash frozen right off the boat. The crab legs simply must be thawed and reheated before serving. It takes about five minutes to boil or steam the crab legs and two to six minutes to broil them, depending on the type of crab leg. How Do You Serve Crab Legs?